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Paterson pushes Hornets to second

With the leadership of three-time state champion, senior Jennifer Paterson, Enumclaw High’s judo team took second place at the 28th annual High School Judo Championships Saturday.

“We had a shaky season, but these players brought their A game on Saturday,” coach Mike Nepper said.

With only five athletes returning from last season and the rest of the team made up of first-year players, they turned their fourth place in the league standings into a second at state.

Paterson, Hornet captain, won the girls’ 70 kg division. She is the first three-time state judo champion for Enumclaw High School’s program.

AJ Pentrenchak finished first in the men’s 60kg division.

Erik Hines placed second in the 100 kg division, while Lauren Storer earned second in the girls 70kg division and AJ Pontelandolfo also carried home a second-place finish in the men’s 55kg division.

Hornet returner and team co-captain Chance Mitchell captured third place in the 66 kg division. Chantelle Bailey earned her third place in the girls 78kg division. First-year athlete Sarah Thomas placed third in the girls 57 kg division.

Zach Pozun and Colten Malek both earned fourth-place in the men’s 66kg division and the men’s 81kg division, respectively.

Austin Luthi and Justin Cooper fought in the 90kg division and tied for seventh place.

Jade Paterson, from Enumclaw Middle School, placed second in the girls 70-plus kg division, and Gavin Severson, from White River Middle School, took second place in the 64kg division.

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